Robert Gerrish: small business coach, professional speaker & business commentator

Sydney, New South Wales
www.robertgerrish.com

Robert is Flying Solo’s managing director and founder and works as a business coach, professional speaker, business commentator and consultant.

He regularly works with corporations, franchise organisations, small business groups and associations. His hot topics include how to get the attention of small business, mastering word of mouth marketing, standing out from the crowd and how to get more done in less time. Read more about his professional services in this one-pager or read some testimonials via his LinkedIn profile.

A tireless self-promoter, he's fast-talked his way onto ABC Four Corners, Channel 9's A Current Affair and Mornings with Kerri-Anne. He writes regularly for News Ltd. titles, presents on radio and has scores of articles published online.

In 2002 he became only the second coach in Australasia to achieve the International Coach Federation credential of Professional Certified Coach.

He co-authored Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business with Sam Leader and lives in Sydney with his wife, Jane and son, Jay.

Want to say hello? Contact Robert.

Robert's memorable quote
"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time" Bertrand Russell

Articles by Robert

• Avoiding early adopter anguish

  If you regularly worry that you’re missing the boat on some new innovation, or get rattled by the continual brilliance of others, rest assured, you’re not alone.

  • 30 June 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 28 Comments

• Review: The Website Marketing Handbook 2009

  Here’s a great, free resource available for subscribers to Flying Solo. If you’ve ever wondered if you could be doing more with your website, this truly is a must-read.

  • 25 June 09
  • Robert Gerrish

• How to prepare for disaster

  In this video interview, I talk to Flying Solo contributor Greg Pritchard on the topic of how to prepare for disaster. For many soloists, most of their valuable information and data is kept in one place and that's the very place where disaster can strike.

  • 18 June 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 1 Comment

• How to get published

  There can be little doubt that writing and publishing a book is a great way to build your profile and grow your business. Watch this video interview with publishing maverick, Lisa Messenger to better understand what needs to be done.

  • 11 June 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 1 Comment

• Personal & business growth tip: Start a network

  Last week, I delivered a workshop in seven regional locations. It was a great reminder of the distinction between an audience and a network.

  • 09 June 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 12 Comments

• How to lead in challenging times

  In this video I talk with Flying Solo contributor John Raymond on the topic of leadership. But as soloists, do we need to worry about such stuff? We most certainly do, John explains.

  • 28 May 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 2 Comments

• Our presenter today...is not here!

  Not so long ago, some 70 business people gathered to hear me talk. Unfortunately I was still in my pyjamas and more than 500km away. It turned out to be a great event.

  • 19 May 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 17 Comments

• Writing for the web

  Whether you're putting together your first website, or planning a revamp of one that's been up for a while, this interview with author and trainer, Mary Morel tells you the importance of winning words.

  • 30 April 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 4 Comments

• How was your day?

  Your day at the office has been spent in meetings, then you battle rush hour traffic to get home. On the front porch, your smiling spouse greets you with “How was your day, dear?” Familiar? No, didn’t think so.

  • 28 April 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 18 Comments

• How to attract clients

  My guest in this video interview is business development specialist, Richard Woodward, who works with organisations seeking sponsorship and helps businesses grow their client list. A must-view if you want to make the most from attraction marketing.

  • 16 April 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 6 Comments

• Networking without leaving your desk

  Here I talk with Suzi Dafnis, the powerhouse behind the Australian Businesswomen's Network, a national organisation of women business-owners. If you're wondering what social networking can do for your business, this is for you.

  • 09 April 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 3 Comments

• Business failure: the upside

  Having started my first business as the last recession took hold, I have some strangely positive recollections. Like how the marketplace rids itself of businesses that frankly never deserved to be there.

  • 07 April 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 47 Comments

• How to bullet proof your business

  In this video I speak with prolific small business author Andrew Griffiths about how to protect your business in tricky times. He's got lots of great tips to share and he lets us have them at a cracking pace!

  • 19 March 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 2 Comments

• The importance of business development days

  Just imagine one day a week devoted to growing your business. A business development day devoid of the usual interruptions and distractions. I’ve done it. It works and here’s how.

  • 17 March 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 36 Comments

• Measuring business performance

  In this video I speak with Stacey Barr about measuring the performance of a small business. How do we know where to focus our effort? By closely observing what works. Stacey shows us how.

  • 12 March 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 2 Comments

• Taxi driver wisdom

  Recently, I was invited to present at a breakfast meeting. In fact, five of us stood up and spoke, but it’s the taxi driver wisdom I got from my cabbie that morning that’s stuck with me.

  • 24 February 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 25 Comments

• Valerie Khoo: How to get media attention video

  In this video I speak with journalist, author & entrepreneur, Valerie Khoo. A must-view if you've ever wanted to know what a journo really looks for and get some great tips to spread your message in the media.

  • 12 February 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 6 Comments

• Tips for getting media coverage

  At Flying Solo, we get some valuable media coverage. Not only is this great for our brand, it makes us smile a lot! Here are some tips from our approach to the media that may help you with yours.

  • 03 February 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 11 Comments

• KPI's: Don’t stop the good stuff

  As we hurtle into an uncertain year, you may be tempted to pull back on some business activities. So how do you decide what gets the chop? By getting clear on your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

  • 13 January 09
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 4 Comments

• Business performance feedback: Gordon Ramsay

  So there I was quietly going about my work when foul mouthed Gordon Ramsay burst in and gave it to me with both barrels. Some of his business performance feedback was hard to swallow.

  • 30 December 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 46 Comments

• The wisdom of the crowd

  When we launched our new forum ten days ago, we didn’t expect to have over 900 posts up and running so fast. Numbers aside, it’s what’s being shared that’s really amazing.

  • 16 December 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 3 Comments

• Grow your business: Sack a client!

  With all this talk of downturn, why not go against the flow and do something radical to grow your business? A client of mine did and she’s still reaping the benefits. If you work with anyone who drives you nuts, you’d best read on.

  • 25 November 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 59 Comments

• The importance of using checklists

  It amazes me how many times I come away from a life experience with something valuable to my business. In many cases, the gems are as simple as they are surprising. Here’s one about using checklists that I was reminded of a couple of weeks ago.

  • 04 November 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 23 Comments

• Online social networking update

  A few weeks ago I announced my online social networking experiment. Well, the early results are in and I can tell you they have really surprised me. I see many compelling reasons to delve further.

  • 14 October 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 10 Comments

• Words of wisdom: The things people say

  Simple, memorable words of wisdom can come from anywhere. Here are some personal favourites.

  • 23 September 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 30 Comments

• Is online social networking for us?

  Good question. After some cursory Googling it’s clear the jury’s still out on the value of online social networking. The stampede of early adopters would have us believe it’s a must-have, but is it?

  • 02 September 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 39 Comments

• Finding hidden equity in your business

  I don’t know about you, but I am getting bored with all this ‘downturn’ talk. Next time someone directs the conversation towards doom and gloom, either stick your fingers in your ears or help them find some hidden equity.

  • 12 August 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 15 Comments

• Business relationships: How can I help you?

  In our business relationships we often tend to focus more on 'what can you do for me?’ rather ‘what can I do for you?’, but is this the best way to create meaningful business relationships?

  • 22 July 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 17 Comments

• An effective business coaching strategy

  In the process of my work as a coach, I have one effective business coaching strategy that regularly creates a big shift for my clients. The funny thing is, I don’t do a thing. Let me tell you how it works.

  • 01 July 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 13 Comments

• The solution to small business challenges

  One of the questions we set our 1,770 respondents in our 2008 Understanding Micro Business survey, had to do with the three biggest small business challenges we are faced with. Here’s what we discovered, along with my solution.

  • 10 June 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 26 Comments

• Client meetings: What am I doing here?

  I’m as social as the next guy. I love people and I adore lounging around in cafés. One thing I hate, though, is putting on a posh shirt and slogging across town for client meetings only to have my time wasted. Frankly, I’m over it.

  • 29 April 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 40 Comments

• Managing deadlines: Avoid deadline dangers

  Deadlines can work for or against your solo business. How well you manage them depends on how well you manage client expectations. Here’s a way of managing deadlines to ensure your solo business avoids deadline dangers.

  • 08 April 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 23 Comments

• You hold the answers

  When faced with questions regarding business evolution or revolution, there can be no one better to counsel than your customers. Your customers will show you how to improve things and help expand your thinking.

  • 18 March 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 6 Comments

• Marketing tips for targeting small business

  With more than one million businesses in Australia falling into the micro category, it can be hard to attract their attention. This article provides four marketing tips for targeting small businesses.

  • 13 February 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 13 Comments

• The easy way to speak to target prospects

  This one’s for those who love speaking, but struggle to find an audience; hate speaking, but know people; or simply don’t have anything very interesting to say. It’s a straightforward strategy to target prospects and I think you’ll like it.

  • 12 February 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 23 Comments

• Goal setting strategy: Aim high

  Several years ago I took a stab at managing a pop band. They were good musicians. I was an okay manager. Together we failed abysmally. I think I know why. We didn't have the correct goal setting strategy.

  • 22 January 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 23 Comments

• Celebrating small business successes

  In our solo business, dominated at times by big, hairy goals, it’s easy to overlook the importance and value of smaller business successes. In this exercise, I invite you to stop and answer three simple questions. It’ll only take a minute or two.

  • 18 December 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 16 Comments

• Business deadlines: Let yourself off the hook

  In December, the world of the solo business owner can go somewhat wobbly. Sound familiar? Thought so. Welcome to what I consider the most uncomfortable few weeks of the silly season. I suggest it’s time to let some business deadlines go.

  • 27 November 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 27 Comments

• Money management: Tips for solo businesses

  Recently I wrote a piece for our newsletter that generated quite a discussion. It was about a soloist who was uncomfortable with money. Here's a summary of your excellent money management tips.

  • 14 November 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 2 Comments

• Successful business strategies: Is faster better?

  It seems to me that everywhere I look someone is trying to persuade us to accomplish things more quickly. Doubtless there are successful business strategies and products that can help us be more efficient, but is faster always better?

  • 06 November 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 11 Comments

• Money management skills: A question of money

  Oh, no it’s happened again. I’ve just finished a conversation about money management skills with yet another person who’s allowed money to wreak havoc.

  • 16 October 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 77 Comments

• How do you stop procrastinating?

  A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Michael, an internet specialist. In it, he described a problem he was having with that old chestnut, procrastination and wanted to know how to stop procrastinating.

  • 25 September 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 23 Comments

• The key message everyone should hear

  In a typical week the majority of us soloists meet many potential ideal clients. Are you making the most of these meetings by being able to clearly articulate the key message of your business?

  • 04 September 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 83 Comments

• Work more efficiently: Five fast failings

  This past week I've heard of a couple of instances where hurried behaviour very nearly resulted in the loss of a sale…and that can't be good. Here are some tips on how to work more efficiently.

  • 14 August 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 5 Comments

• Winning new business: How to avoid the giving trap

  There’s you in pursuit of winning new business, all excited by the prospect landing a star client. You’ve spent months, even years, perfecting your policies and procedures and as quick as a flash you shoot yourself in the foot by giving stuff away.

  • 08 August 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 13 Comments

• How to appeal to your target market

  Are you using clear marketing signals to appeal to your desired tagret market?

  • 24 July 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 11 Comments

• Are your key marketing messages clear?

  A recent experience reminded me of the importance of having clear key marketing messages if you want to get the attention of your target market.

  • 03 July 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 20 Comments

• Can your business handle the truth?

  Too often in business we fail to speak the truth. Instead we say what we think people want to hear and act as we're told to act. What would be the impact on your business if your customer’s knew what you really thought?

  • 29 June 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 10 Comments

• Do you recognise buying signals?

  Now I don't want to cause alarm, but to put this week's story about recognising buying signals in context I need to tell you that I started my working career as a used car salesman.

  • 12 June 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 5 Comments

• Innovation tools to tame the flow of ideas

  Five ways to tame the flow of ideas Megan Hill's recent piece on mind mapping that got me pondering the theme of ideas, and in particular the flow of ideas.

  • 22 May 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 18 Comments

• 

  Smart marketing: More than the wow factor

  There's much spoken of the need for the ‘wow factor’ in our work and how without it we risk being invisible. But I have to tell you I’m totally over businesses that lead with ‘wow’ only to follow up with…er, nothing actually.

  • 01 May 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 18 Comments

• Business partnering: Everyone's a partner

  Wouldn't it be wonderful if businesses truly, madly, deeply, partnered with each other? Some businesses talk about 'business partnering with clients', but you can bet most of them are not connected with their so-called partners in any meaningful way.

  • 10 April 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 11 Comments

• Winning new clients: How to get the gig

  I recently received an email from Sylvia, a coaching client, which prompted me to write on the important topic of winning new clients.

  • 20 March 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 5 Comments

• What is your key marketing message?

  As regular readers will know, in my coaching and speaking business I put considerable emphasis on clarifying who is an ‘ideal client’ for me before creating a key marketing message.

  • 27 February 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 53 Comments

• Five back office management tips

  If there's one thing that can get in the way of a smooth running solo enterprise, it's the lack of organised back office management. Sadly it's not unusual to see a business that fronts up well yet is a disaster behind the scenes.

  • 13 February 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 11 Comments

• 

  Grow through your existing customer base

  There is real growth potential in a sole trader's existing customer base, but many fail to realise its full potential. Often, more energy goes to attracting new customers or clients than looking after current ones.

  • 07 February 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 3 Comments

• Handling stress: Avoid the hemmed-in feeling

  If there’s one thing that makes me feel overwhelmed and tired, it’s the sense I’m going to be struggling to get the day’s work done. In my view, few feelings contribute so negatively to our ability to work effectively and our way of handling stress.

  • 06 February 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 20 Comments

• Being grateful: What are you missing?

  Often being grateful is not something we focus on as can be demonstrated by a recent experience I had.

  • 30 January 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 22 Comments

• Removing barriers to success

  Soloists often unconsciously put barriers in the way between them and success. This is typified by what I call the 'feet on the ground' versus 'feet in the ground' situation.

  • 17 January 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 4 Comments

• Client management: Refusing work

  It would be lovely to think we only ever attracted dream clients to our businesses, but unfortunately we also get the occasional stinker. Here I look at client management and why refusing work is sometimes necessary.

  • 16 January 07
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 35 Comments

• Work motivation tip: Avoid distractions

  If your work motivation work is flagging, the chances are distractions are contributing to the problem.

  • 24 November 06
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 5 Comments

• Planning marketing beats binge marketing

  By carefully planning marketing you can avoid the grand daddy of all bad business behaviours: binge marketing. All it takes is some regular time allocated to the task.

  • 22 September 06
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 4 Comments

• Niche marketing: the business specialist

  When it comes to working smarter we shouldn't overlook niche marketing and the benefits of positioning yourself as a business specialist. Here are five compelling reasons to do just that.

  • 01 September 06
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 1 Comment

• How to conduct effective meetings

  Meetings can prove to be either a positive, fruitful encounter...or a total waste of time. To conduct effective meetings, you need to bring clarity and preparation to the table.

  • 05 May 06
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 4 Comments

• Assessing business performance

  This time is ideal for assessing business performance - pondering both how well you've travelled over the past year and how the new year is shaping up.

  • 15 December 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 4 Comments

• Can innovation be a marketing tool?

  If you're forever hearing great things said about your work, yet not seeing these translate into sales and revenue, it could just be because you've fallen into the innovator trap. Can innovation be a marketing tool?

  • 25 November 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 3 Comments

• Making space for generating ideas

  Fresh ideas keep us motivated. But chances are these ideas won't come when you're stuck behind your desk. It is necessary to create time and space for generating ideas and creative thinking.

  • 17 October 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 9 Comments

• Target marketing: Being heard amid the noise

  To get noticed, soloists should use target marketing and be specific with their message. It's far better to be heard well by one person than ignored by many.

  • 26 September 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 1 Comment

• Managing work life balance: Avoid the ‘always available’ trap

  Modern gizmos and gadgets means soloists can be permanently available to their clients. A good thing? Maybe not. Managing work life balance is an important lesson to learn.

  • 15 September 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 3 Comments

• Business vision: the importance of long term goals

  In our book Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business, Sam and I talk a great deal about the role and importance of holding a buiness vision. Having long term goals can help you make decisions every day.

  • 20 July 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 2 Comments

• Networking strategies: Get involved!

  It's easy to get lost in your own world in Soloville, so you need to make a conscious effort to put networking strategies in place and stay connected.

  • 07 July 05
  • Robert Gerrish

• Crucial questions for small business start ups

  New small business start ups require plenty of planning. Here are five questions that all aspiring small business owner’s need to consider.

  • 06 July 05
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 5 Comments